A Brush of Wings by Karen Kingsbury Page A

least for some of you.” He chuckled. “I had one message planned for today, but when I got to my office I found a different set of notes on my desk.”
    Strange, Marcus thought. He shifted in his seat.
    “I’m going with the new message. Godly Men Take Risks .” He shrugged. “Someone here must need this.” He paused and his demeanor grew more serious. “This is something we don’t talk about enough in the church. The fact that godly men have to take risks. They have to go after the things God is calling them to do.” He paused. “Even if it costs them everything.”
    Marcus felt chills on his arms and legs. He glanced around at the other guys. Did that opening line hit anyone else the way it just hit him? Or was he the guy Coach Wayne was talking about?
    The message was brief and powerful, and Marcus hung on every word. God brings opportunities and people into the lives of believers. But it’s up to each one to pursue what God presents.
    “You hear guys banter around a popular phrase. ‘If it’s supposed to happen, it’ll happen.’ ”
    Tyler kicked him under the desk. Marcus barely felt it. He looked down at his hands, at his phone still opened to the Bible app. He had said those exact words to Tyler on the way here. How could Coach have known?
    God, if this is from You, I’m listening.
    “Find Deuteronomy 31:8.” He hesitated as he opened his Bible. “God’s people were in battle through much of the Old Testament.” Coach Wayne looked at them. “Whatever battle you’re in—whatever you’re facing—the words here will give you direction. I believe that.”
    Marcus found the section in Deuteronomy.
    “Starting with verse eight.” Coach waited a few seconds. “It says, ‘The Lord, Himself, goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’ ”
    God would go before him? What did that mean when it came to Mary Catherine? Was he supposed to go to her again, tell her even more definitively how much he cared? Marcus listened intently.
    Coach Wayne referred to other verses. “Turn to 1 Chronicles 28:20. Let’s read it together.” He waited. “David is talking to Solomon and he says, ‘Be strong and courageous and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you . . .’ ”
    Marcus felt the words hit straight at the center of his soul. Something about the way Coach emphasized the words. Then they turned to 1 Chronicles 20. Marcus read along with Coach Wayne as he spoke the Scripture out loud. “ ‘You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you . . . Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’ ”
    The Lord will be with me. Marcus felt his head spin. Maybe this was his answer, the message straight from God to his heart.
    Coach was winding up the message, encouraging them to be brave and courageous. What was God calling them to do? Walk away from some addiction or sin struggle? Have a conversation they’d been putting off? “Or maybe just make your intentions known in a certain situation. Letting your faith direct you to speak your mind. Finally.”
    Marcus felt a deep courage stir within him. What was God calling him to do? That was the question. Maybe if he went to Mary Catherine one more time and told her how he really felt—how serious he was—then he would finally know. Her answer might set them both free to love . . . or it might break his heart. But in that case, the Bible was right. God would be with him.
    Whatever the situation, he wouldn’t have to walk the road ahead alone.
    When chapel was over, Marcus thanked Coach Wayne. Then he walked with Tyler back to their rooms. “Powerful.” Tyler raised his brow at Marcus. “Right?”
    “Man, I thought he was talking straight to